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Thread: Ideas for your Expedition Defender

  1. #191
    DiscoMick Guest
    I got some custom corner brackets made for my panel.

  2. #192
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    Ideas for your Expedition Defender

    Haven’t got around to fitting my new flexi’s

    Did manage to pick up a Bunnings Champion 125W Blanket that other forums had threads on. 75$ for 125w is bloody good, not sure what they started at but the sticker price was 199$ when they decided to discontinue than went down to 149$ and than 1/2’d the price if punters asked.

    Seem well made, even come with Anderson plug, the controller is separate so you can choose to use it or use like me the one fitted to my car. This will sit behind the drivers seat for when we are parked in shade.

    First test run, Max. 93w so far




  3. #193
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    I read a lot about keeping CoG low, pack light etc when overlanding. Problem is most of the overlanders I follow crisscrossing the world don’t seem to mention it, the more focus on carrying what they need and actually use. Just thinking back to my previous defer when I had 220kg on the roof when I did the Simpson.....

    Onto my installed solar onto the roof of my Poptop.

    There is a saying, he who buys cheap buys twice or something like that. Well that been me, actually I’ll probably buy three times before we launch in 2021.

    Given I have a Poptop that relies on gas Struts everyday to uplift the roof I now think about weight on the roof.

    Two years ago I started with 2 100W semi flexible panels yep cheap, didn’t put out anywhere near the rating, added an expensive 120w semi flex. Lost the expensive one while driving to a destination and when I check the two cheapies one was buggered.

    After a bit of research I went with 2 x 135w semi flex from Solar for RV (mid range price) and than they arrived.

    I was expecting eyelets and a junction box.....got neither


    Apparently the open circuit voltage is higher than other on the market.


    So soldered some cable on, I did consult a local 12v/solar place and they didn’t believe I need blocking diodes. One thing I did learn is you can check a solar panel in doors under a Fluro light


    Than I protected the wiring



    Mounted to roof rack using double sided tape and roof screws, they are a little unsupported along the Centre


    It’s raining on/off and black clouds above, wasn’t expecting big number but happy with 1.2A


    So there is my light weight solar solution, I’m guessing I will be fitting new semi flex panels in Nov 21 just before we depart on our drive Brisbane to London and everywhere in-between.

  4. #194
    DiscoMick Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by W&KO View Post
    I read a lot about keeping CoG low, pack light etc when overlanding. Problem is most of the overlanders I follow crisscrossing the world don’t seem to mention it, the more focus on carrying what they need and actually use. Just thinking back to my previous defer when I had 220kg on the roof when I did the Simpson.....

    Onto my installed solar onto the roof of my Poptop.

    There is a saying, he who buys cheap buys twice or something like that. Well that been me, actually I’ll probably buy three times before we launch in 2021.

    Given I have a Poptop that relies on gas Struts everyday to uplift the roof I now think about weight on the roof.

    Two years ago I started with 2 100W semi flexible panels yep cheap, didn’t put out anywhere near the rating, added an expensive 120w semi flex. Lost the expensive one while driving to a destination and when I check the two cheapies one was buggered.

    After a bit of research I went with 2 x 135w semi flex from Solar for RV (mid range price) and than they arrived.

    I was expecting eyelets and a junction box.....got neither


    Apparently the open circuit voltage is higher than other on the market.


    So soldered some cable on, I did consult a local 12v/solar place and they didn’t believe I need blocking diodes. One thing I did learn is you can check a solar panel in doors under a Fluro light


    Than I protected the wiring



    Mounted to roof rack using double sided tape and roof screws, they are a little unsupported along the Centre


    It’s raining on/off and black clouds above, wasn’t expecting big number but happy with 1.2A


    So there is my light weight solar solution, I’m guessing I will be fitting new semi flex panels in Nov 21 just before we depart on our drive Brisbane to London and everywhere in-between.
    Can I ask what you are powering off that setup?

  5. #195
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    Quote Originally Posted by DiscoMick View Post
    Can I ask what you are powering off that setup?
    1 x 60L Fridge
    1 x LED Light
    Phones and iPad as required.

    About to install a travel buddy oven and am planning space for a 2kw space heater in the new fit out.

  6. #196
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    TPMS...a lot of discussion on the forum.

    I nearly lost a good tyre in the high country last year and figured I’d give a system a go over the next year or so before we head off



    Hope to start installing this weekend

  7. #197
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    Quote Originally Posted by W&KO View Post
    TPMS...a lot of discussion on the forum.

    I nearly lost a good tyre in the high country last year and figured I’d give a system a go over the next year or so before we head off



    Hope to start installing this weekend
    Hard wired in.....all seemed to work as it should. Haven’t tested lowering the tyre pressure to confirm the system automatically recognizes the new pressures therefore not needing to adjust anything

  8. #198
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    I recently bought something similar, Pressure Mate I think it’s called. No wiring, it uses Bluetooth and the main unit is solar powered. Seemed to work well, gave pressure & temp and these were configurable parameters.

    My concern was the sensors screw onto the end of the valve steam so you have that weight and mass sitting proud. I am sure they would quickly get ripped off in mud & snow and potentially upset wheel balance.

    I gave the kit to a friend. There is an internal version, obviously requires the tyre to be removed to install but for me that would be a better option.

    I would be interested to see how you go.

    Cheers - Simon
    Cheers
    Travelrover

    Adventure before Dementia

    2012 Puma 90 - Black
    1999 Td5 110 Ute - White
    1996 Tdi 300 Wagon - White

    VKS-737 - Mobile 0972

  9. #199
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    Quote Originally Posted by travelrover View Post
    I recently bought something similar, Pressure Mate I think it’s called. No wiring, it uses Bluetooth and the main unit is solar powered. Seemed to work well, gave pressure & temp and these were configurable parameters.

    My concern was the sensors screw onto the end of the valve steam so you have that weight and mass sitting proud. I am sure they would quickly get ripped off in mud & snow and potentially upset wheel balance.

    I gave the kit to a friend. There is an internal version, obviously requires the tyre to be removed to install but for me that would be a better option.

    I would be interested to see how you go.

    Cheers - Simon
    I've just come back from a double crossing of the desert and I had these fitted to my Defender for the 1st time... They worked well but on the odd occasion would alarm for no reason... I'm glad I installed them as they gave me an insight as to how much the pressure/temp can change through the day + also how one side can vary purely due to the sun being on that side of the car...

    Upon coming home, I did actually noticed that the sensor had worn marks into the alloy rims from all the sand corners. There is a slight indentation on the alloy rim caused by the sensor... I'm not worried but if that is something that would bother u then u might need to factor this into your purchase...

  10. #200
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    Been thinking about fresh food while traveling

    Working on sprouting beans/seeds

    Been experimenting over the last couple of weeks, this mornings harvest, after soaking they just need a flush/rinse each morning/afternoon.





    There were Mung beans as well

    Next test is while on the road, we have a two week trip starting on Friday. Let’s see if the like to sprout while moving.

    Got the idea of friends that hiked 20 days through remote Kimberly in supported. They had fresh sprouts pretty much every day to supplement the de-hydrated meals.

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